Today I was frightened, convicted and inspired. And if the thunderous standing ovations Vice President Al Gore received are any indication, I was not alone. This “guy who used to be the next president”—as he introduced himself—was a far cry from the stiff (and let me be honest) dull vice president and presidential candidate that I recall.
But maybe speaking about one’s passion has that kind of transformational power. And let there be no doubt that this man is passionate about the environment—and that this passion is one any living, thinking and praying person ought to share. Using a remarkable mixture of wit, storytelling, slides and (dare I say it) inconvenient truths, Mr. Gore, at today’s “Stewardship of Earth” luncheon, told the shocking story of humanity’s shameful abuse of God’s creation and its terrifying impact.
If I recall his words accurately, Mr. Gore warned that we are beginning to sip from a most bitter cup. His images of melting snow caps, dwindling lakes, snow-less mountaintops, dramatically changing wildlife environments and the already total loss of optimal fishing waters in every ocean on the globe, along with the destructive impact all of this is having upon the weakest and the poorest among us, will continually influence my prayers, thoughts, purchases, voice and actions. The inescapable facts, and my personal complicity and accountability for the state of our environment, were, for me, shameful. Yes, I do believe one person can make a difference.
But I left the luncheon inspired by the spirit of unity and commitment that permeated the packed auditorium—a spirit that overflowed on the faces of those exiting that room. A spirit clearly confirming that we, as Baptists, as a committed body of believers, as voters, as human beings, as consumers, as servants of the Living God and as residents of planet earth can and will make a difference. I certainly shall.
But maybe speaking about one’s passion has that kind of transformational power. And let there be no doubt that this man is passionate about the environment—and that this passion is one any living, thinking and praying person ought to share. Using a remarkable mixture of wit, storytelling, slides and (dare I say it) inconvenient truths, Mr. Gore, at today’s “Stewardship of Earth” luncheon, told the shocking story of humanity’s shameful abuse of God’s creation and its terrifying impact.
If I recall his words accurately, Mr. Gore warned that we are beginning to sip from a most bitter cup. His images of melting snow caps, dwindling lakes, snow-less mountaintops, dramatically changing wildlife environments and the already total loss of optimal fishing waters in every ocean on the globe, along with the destructive impact all of this is having upon the weakest and the poorest among us, will continually influence my prayers, thoughts, purchases, voice and actions. The inescapable facts, and my personal complicity and accountability for the state of our environment, were, for me, shameful. Yes, I do believe one person can make a difference.
But I left the luncheon inspired by the spirit of unity and commitment that permeated the packed auditorium—a spirit that overflowed on the faces of those exiting that room. A spirit clearly confirming that we, as Baptists, as a committed body of believers, as voters, as human beings, as consumers, as servants of the Living God and as residents of planet earth can and will make a difference. I certainly shall.
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